Parent/Carer Update 8.6.2020

From 15 June, secondary schools are able to offer face-to-face support for a quarter of the year 10 pupils at any one time. Alongside this the government is asking secondary schools to:

• continue providing full-time provision for vulnerable pupils in all year groups (including year 10)
• continue providing full-time provision for children of critical workers in all year groups (including year 10)
• provide some face-to-face support to supplement the remote education of year 10, with a clear expectation that remote education will continue to be the predominant form of education delivery for these year groups and that this should be of high quality
• continue to use best endeavours to support all other pupils remaining at home, making use of the available remote education support and ensuring a high quality offer

Year 10 Offer

From the 15^th June 2020, we are offering a blended approach to our educational provision. This will include a combination of face to face time in school, in small group bubbles for 2 hours per day (on a rotation basis) to be followed up with additional online learning through Century at home (https://www.century.tech). Individual times for pupils attending school next week will be shared with parents/carers during their phone calls on Thursday 11^th June 2020 (for those families who have indicated they wish their child to attend school).

During their time in school we will be implementing a recovery curriculum which will support our pupils with their social and emotional well-being as well as focusing on English, Maths, Science and Citizenship. Option subjects will be picked up in the Autumn Term and there will no afternoon activities until social distancing restrictions are removed by the Government.

To support our Y10 learners in accessing the online provision, you may remember we conducted a survey a while ago to discuss your ICT provision, this allowed us to access the Government Laptop Scheme for disadvantaged learners. As part of our offer, we will be issuing laptops to those pupils who are eligible and this will be done as part of our face to face time in school.

Y11

Centre Assessed Grades

The Government has asked us to send the exam boards some specific information about year 11 learners’ work and achievements, in each of the subjects they have been studying. This information will allow the exam boards to provide standardised grades across schools.

Further information on Centre Assessed Grades can be found using the link below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awarding-qualifications-in-summer-2020

Post-16 Destination Support

Whilst the Government has stated that Y11 pupils should not return to school, we do want to continue to support our pupils with their Post-16 choices. I know many of you have been working with our Careers advisor, Richard Alnutt to support this process, we are really proud of hearing what you are applying for and what you have been offered.

From Monday 22^nd June 2020, we are going to be offering ‘drop in sessions’ every Monday until the end of the term to support any of our Y11 pupils in applying for college, apprenticeships, job applications etc. These sessions will be available from 930- 1pm but you must ring the school to arrange an appointment first – this allows us to ensure that we can keep people safe. If you would like to take up on this offer please ring the school office on 0191 5614777 to book an appointment or let the school know during your twice weekly calls.

Free School Meals

We are continuing to use the Edenred Free School Voucher Scheme for those children who are entitled to free school meals. The Government have stated that this scheme will not run over the Summer holidays.

Family Support and Well- Being

We are aware, that a number of our parents/carers have indicated that their children will not be returning, as they do not feel it is safe to do so and I want to assure you that we understand this and no formal attendance procedures will be brought against parents/carers at this time.

We are still continue to offer breakfast packs and food packs regularly and you can request one of these during the phone calls that you receive, and anything else that you feel you need our help with.

Nicole and Claire continue to be available as part of our ‘mindfulness moments phone call sessions’ where our children and young people take some time to talk, for someone else to listen. They are available on the following numbers: Nicole – 07887588997.   Claire – 07500609717

If you have any concerns regarding these proposals or need to access more work for your child, please let our staff know when they ring you.

As a school, we will continue to support you and your families moving forward, don’t be afraid to ask – we are all in this together.

Please continue to stay safe and well.

Donna

Head Teacher

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